Chicago-based Jenner & Block has announced the addition of two highly regarded bankruptcy partners from Mayer Brown, including Doug Spelfogel, co-leader of Mayer Brown’s New York restructuring practice. Spelfogel, who has spent the last three years overseeing the firm’s bankruptcy operations in New York, will now serve as co-chair of Jenner & Block’s Bankruptcy and Restructuring Practice, bringing with him a wealth of experience and high-profile case work.
Joining Spelfogel is Derek Wright, who will work out of Jenner & Block’s Chicago office. Both partners are expected to make significant contributions to the firm’s growing restructuring and insolvency practice.
Spelfogel’s career has evolved from handling a mix of bankruptcy-related deal work and litigation to focusing primarily on bankruptcy litigation. He is renowned for his work on some of the largest and most complex bankruptcy cases in recent years. Notable among these are his roles in the JCPenney and American Airlines bankruptcies, as well as his two-year tenure representing Irving Picard, the court-appointed trustee investigating the fallout from Bernie Madoff’s infamous $65 billion Ponzi scheme.
In addition to these high-profile cases, Spelfogel also represented the Pacific Alliance Asia Opportunity Fund (PAX), a Cayman Islands-based investment firm that was the largest creditor of Guo Wengui, a Chinese businessman convicted in July of embezzling hundreds of millions of dollars from his followers.
A Mayer Brown spokesperson expressed well-wishes to both Spelfogel and Wright as they transition to their new roles. The hires mark a significant move in the competitive legal landscape, as both firms are known for their strong bankruptcy practices.
Spelfogel’s appointment as co-chair of Jenner & Block’s Bankruptcy and Restructuring Practice underscores the firm’s commitment to strengthening its position in the highly competitive legal field of bankruptcy law. His extensive experience in both litigation and restructuring positions him to lead the firm’s expanding practice into its next phase of growth.
Spelfogel, Wright, and a third partner joined Mayer Brown from Foley & Lardner in 2021, with Spelfogel leading the New York restructuring group for Foley prior to that. This move further solidifies Jenner & Block’s reputation for attracting top talent in the industry.
Jenner & Block’s strategic hiring of Spelfogel and Wright comes as law firms across the country continue to bolster their bankruptcy and restructuring practices, particularly as the business landscape shows signs of increased corporate distress due to economic shifts.
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